As the saying goes, time is of the essence when it comes to getting things done. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent managing a busy home with two kids or an online entrepreneur hustling to get your business off the ground, time is of the essence when it comes to keeping things organized and efficient. IT professionals are no different—keeping things streamlined and easy are important even in our hectic modern world. Computer setup can sometimes feel like a dark art, but there are ways to save time and money that only a computer pro would know. Check out these tips for making sure your new laptop or desktop is up and running efficiently from start to finish.
Plan your computer setup ahead of time
When you purchase a new computer, one of the first stages of setup is to plan out everything from start to finish. This includes selecting the right hardware, installing the operating system, setting up your networking, and installing all the programs you’ll need. These stages of setup can be time-consuming and are easily interrupted if you’re in the middle of something else. Set aside specific times during the week or on the weekends to tackle each stage of setup so you don’t miss out on any important tasks.
Use a program like Windows Planner to make the process smooth
Whether you’re using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7, the process for creating a computer consists of several distinct stages. Make a list of all the stages and keep a list of what needs to go in which stage. When installing a new program, mark which stage it needs to be installed in. You can use the same list to organize and schedule other tasks.
Set aside a specific time for computer setup
While planning out your computer setup can save you a lot of time, it’s not the only time you should be focusing on. Set a timer for 20 minutes and spend that time researching and planning out the steps for installing a new program. This is true even if you’re short on time—plan your setup ahead of time and set aside a specific time to get it done. Organize your thoughts and be methodical. This timer trick will help you stay focused.
Install the free programs you need first
New computers come with a pre-configured OS (operating system). We recommend updating this OS rather than installing a new one. This way, you’re getting a fresh start and can continue to use the software you love without any extra effort. When you first set up a new computer, we recommend installing a full application suite instead of just a few basic program functions. This way, you’re getting everything you need to get started and don’t have to worry about missing out on crucial features or functions just because you didn’t have time to look into them in-depth.
Save your favorite websites for access during setup
When you first start using a new computer, you’ll probably spend the majority of your time looking online. This is great! We love online banking, shopping, and any other tasks that require a specific format. But, when you first set up your new computer, it’s a good idea to save your favorite websites so you can quickly look them up if you need them. The Internet is a huge place and you may find yourself searching for the same information over and over again. Having a list of websites to access during setup will make it easier to stay on top of and save time. This is also true for apps. You may have favorite apps that you use regularly that you’d like to have access on your new computer. This way, you won’t have to spend extra time looking for them in a new OS or installing them.
Key takeaway
When it comes to getting things done, time is of the essence. Make sure you have enough time to setup your computer properly, research a new app or program, and look up information about a new feature or tool before you start using it. Cutting corners on any of these counts can lead to major problems—not the least of which is time wasted. Follow these tips and your new computer setup will be smooth sailing from start to finish.
